1956 Triumph 649cc TR6 Trophy

The December Sale - Motorcycles, Spares & Memorabilia|11 December 2023, 12:31 GMT|Online, Milton Keynes

1956 Triumph 649cc TR6 Trophy
Frame no. 81641
Engine no. TR6 81641

Success in the International Six Days' Trial (ISDT) in the late 1940s prompted Triumph to adopt the 'Trophy' name for their off-road-styled twins, at first for the 500cc TR5 and then for the 650cc TR6. Introduced for 1956, the 650cc Trophy featured the new aluminium-alloy cylinder head of the Tiger 110 sports roadster. Its off-road pretensions were more style than substance though, amounting to little more than the fitting of a smaller fuel tank, quickly detachable headlamp and larger-section rear tyre. The Trophy retained its sporting character but became more of a roadster as time passed, ending up, in effect, as a single-carburettor T120 Bonneville when reintroduced, after a five-month absence from the range, in February 1961. More tractable than the Bonnie and more economical too, the Trophy gave little away in terms of outright performance, the bike's standing quarter-mile time and top speed being within a whisker of its twin-carb sibling's.

This pre-unit Trophy was despatched new in June 1956 to Johnson Motors, Triumph's USA West Coast distributors. First registered in the UK on 19th May 1999 and restored in 2005, the machine has belonged to the current vendor since June 2018. The motorcycle is described as in generally good condition; however, we are advised that it has not run since 2010. Recommissioning to a greater or lesser extent will be required before the Trophy returns to the road and thus the machine is sold strictly as viewed. Accompanying documentation consists of a quantity of expired MoTs and tax discs; VMCC works records extract; copy old V5C; and current V5C document.

Footnotes

All lots are sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.

Saleroom notices

The Vehicle Registration Number is DSL 433.

Additional information

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